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“We’ve spent almost the entire month together since I got back from Chicago. I can’t believe you’re not pushing me out the door,” I say, plopping down next to her.
She rolls to her side and looks up at me. “Are you sure you’re okay? You know… about the Travis and Jett thing?”
I twist my lips and slowly nod. “I don’t have much of a choice. I’m not going to ever acknowledge that Travis is my father, and Jett… Well, there’s nothing to say about that. It wasn’t ever meant to be.” I shrug. She sits up and hugs me.
“Okay, we’re done being sad. Let’s go party.” Syd jumps up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up with her. Aunt Amy and Uncle Ted are throwing me a NYC or Bust party.
Excitement bubbles through me and I squeal, which surprises even myself because I’m not usually a squealer. After a few rough weeks of dealing with what happened in Chicago, I’ve put it all behind me and now I’m ready to move on. At least that is what I keep telling myself. I left there unscathed, maybe a little brokenhearted and really confused about Travis, but physically I wasn’t hurt. And I’m thankful for that. I do find myself looking over my shoulder a little more often. I can’t do anything about it if Travis finds me, so I’ll deal with it if or when that happens.
Dressed in my favorite denim cutoffs, black New York City tank that I bought last summer, and boots, I walk into my aunt’s backyard. She and Ted moved to a small town between Austin and San Antonio when I went to college. She wanted to still be close to me but away from the big city. They have a beautiful house on a ranch in the country. Ted retired from the force shortly after I came home from the hospital a few months ago, so now they spend their time fixing up their house and land.
Twinkling lights hang across her backyard, the warm breeze gently swaying them. It looks like hundreds of stars dancing to the music of the band. I notice some friends from college two-stepping on a dance floor right in front of the stage.
“Addison!” Amy yells from across the lawn when she sees me, motioning me to come over.
“Amy, the backyard looks amazing. You really didn’t need to do this much,” I say, giving her a hug. I pull back and continue looking around. “I can’t believe how beautiful everything looks. It’s almost magical.”
“Addie, I would do anything for you. You have given me so much.” She reaches out to grasp my arms. Her eyes gloss over.
“Amy, stop,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion. “You’re the one who took in a child and raised her like your own. You gave up so much for me. I can’t…”
“I didn’t give up anything, Addie. Please, don’t ever think that,” she says, shaking her head. “Your mom gave me what I couldn’t have, and I have never regretted taking you in.”
We embrace in another hug; it’s tight and emotional. Focusing on the glittering lights, I make a wish that someday I’ll find a way to show Amy how much I love her and how much I appreciate everything she’s done for me.
“You guys are making me cry! I love you both. You’re like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: they always come as a pair and you can’t have just one so you equally love both.” Syd grabs both of us, joining in on our hug. We laugh at her. She’s a nutcase sometimes. “But I thought this wasn’t a goodbye party.”
Amy wipes her tears away and smiles. “It’s not. You girls go have fun.”
Syd grabs my hand and pulls me to the dance floor. The band plays a fast song, so we start to swing dance. We both try and turn at the same time, causing us to die laughing as we untangle ourselves.
“You’re supposed to be the man and lead me,” Syd cries out between laughs. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.
“I have to be the man. If you were, you’d chop my head off,” I say trying to catch my breath and massage my cheeks so they stop hurting.
“How about you dance with a real man?” A familiar voice startles me from behind. I whirl around to see Frankie, a huge smile plastered on his face.
“Frankie! You’re here!” I’m surprised to see him. Mainly because, well… he’s Frankie. And how in the world did Amy know how to get in touch with him? He wraps his arms around me, picking me up and swinging me in a circle.
“Your cool aunt invited me. Howard found me and told me about the party. I couldn’t miss my chance to say goodbye to my hot guardian angel,” he says, winking at me.
I can feel the warmth creep up to my cheeks. “Well, I’m glad you came. So, are we gonna dance or what?” I say, grabbing his hands. He smoothly glides me across the dance floor, twirling me all around. Feeling dizzy, I grab onto Frankie’s shoulder to steady myself. “Whoa. Let’s two-step for a bit,” I say, giggling. “Obviously, your leg is doing better.” I catch Ted’s gaze fixated on us as we pass him. I laugh and roll my eyes knowing this is killing him that I’m dancing with Frankie. He’s fully aware who Frankie is, which is why I’m even more surprised Amy was able to invite him.
“Sure is, Add Cat. A little gunshot ain’t gonna keep me down, sweetheart.” I know that Frankie is the one talking, but when he says that, it’s Jett’s voice that I hear. I shake my head, squeezing my eyes shut. Holy shit, I’m not even drinking yet. “Addison?” Frankie stops dancing.
I open my eyes to a concerned Frankie. “Sorry. I think I spun around a little too much. My head is still spinning.” Thankfully the song ends and we walk off the dance floor.
“Well, Add Cat, I’m going to take off. I just wanted to be able to tell you goodbye. I’ll miss seeing you at the DC,” he says, jutting his chin out. I furrow my brows together.
“DC?”
“District courthouse,” he says slowly like I’m supposed to know.
“Oh. Right. I’m so behind on my street lingo.” I laugh. He pulls me in for a quick hug. “Thanks for coming, Frankie. I’m sure I’ll see you again. Just stay out of trouble between now and then,” I say, squeezing his muscled bicep.
“Only for you, Add Cat.” He smiles his panty-dropping smile and winks before turning to walk away. I stand there admiring his backside. He is one gorgeous man. I feel something cold touch my arm, snapping me out of my gaze.
“He’s like Dwayne Johnson hot,” Syd says, fanning herself after handing me a Corona. I slowly nod, bringing the cold drink to my lips. We both watch as he gives my aunt a hug and leaves. “It’s a shame that he’s a bad boy.”
